Photo: Wayne Taylor

Acting Minister for Multicultural Affairs James Merlino today announced 12 Victorian sporting bodies will share in $4 million in grants to develop community projects and get more Victorians on local playing fields.

The projects will encourage people from migrant and refugee backgrounds to get involved with their local sports clubs, be active and have a go.

AFL Victoria, Netball Victoria, Cricket Australia and Football Federation Victoria are just some of the organisations that will receive up to $600,000 to improve participation in community sport.

Other sports to benefit from funding include tennis, rugby league, rugby union, softball, surfing, basketball, paralympic sports, and athletics.

The grants program assessed an organisation’s community engagement strategies, including connections with young people, women and those from a refugee or migrant background, as well as the sustainability of their programs.

Sporting organisations will contribute their own resources and partner with networks at the grassroots level to reach new communities and increase participation.

For more information about the Multicultural Sports Fund and the 12 funded projects, visit multicultural.vic.gov.au.